Oil prices are rising again, and electricity prices will surely follow. Over the last 15 years, the solar power industry has made tremendous strides in producing solar energy.
As the cost of power rising and the price of solar energy systems falling, now is the time to educate yourself about solar power.
Is Solar Power Truly Affordable?
Yes, due in large part to government incentives. The state, federal and local governments are now giving large refunds to house owners. Depending upon where you live, you may be rebated 35% – 65% of the cost of your solar energy system. With financing available through many solar power companies (as well as house equity loans) you can potentially reduce monthly utility bills by more than the system costs.
Will the Utilities Buy Extra Electricity from Me?
Yes, the power companies will “buy” your excess power as it is produced. If your solar energy system produces more electricity than your home is consuming at that moment, the surplus electric feeds back into the power grid, and your power meter will actually rotate backwards! If you are away from your home, and leave as many electric items turned off as possible, the extra electricity can automatically flow back earning you money.
Are Professional Installers Available for Solar Power Systems?
Absolutely. In fact, because you are integrating with the electric system of your house, it is strongly suggested that an experienced licensed electrician install the system for you. Most solar energy installation companies have electricians to handle this.
What is Required to Get a Solar Power System?
In general, you should have a home with exposure to the south, southeast or southwest. You will want it as unobstructed as possible. Having your home in the southern United States has advantages, but home owners to the north also do extremely well with solar energy. Before you buy, most reputable solar energy companies send an engineer to inspect your home, property and landscape to determine whether solar energy will work and what sort of savings you can see.
Is Solar Energy Really Good for the Environment?
Yes. While power is does not produce polution, the coal required to produce the electricity is not. By using the energy of the sun, you are actually able to generate your own electricity with no impact on the environment. This reduces pollutants in the air, reduces our demand on foreign oil, and helps to lower the overall cost structure of power in this country.
Does the Government Really Support Solar Energy?
Yes. There are local, state and federal programs designed to encourage house owners to switch to solar energy (as well as other green energies). Our government is aware that the fossil fuels will not last forever, and our dependency on them is bad for our nation as well as our ecology. By offering incentives for people to convert to solar power, the government is making an investment in you, to help reduce the energy crisis. In the coming years, millions can switch to solar energy, significantly reducing tax our dependency on foreign oil.
What Does a Typical Solar Power System Cost?
This varies based on the amount of energy you want to produce. Obviously the bigger the system, the greater amount of electricity you can produce. Solar Power Systems can range from $10,000-$30,000 or more depending upon your needs. If a system costs $20,000 and the government pays 65%, the cost to you is $7,000. depending on how you finance it, this may cost you approximately $50-$75 per month. Most will save more than this in their first month on their electric bill. The exact savings will be based upon the price of the system, any tax incentives, and the amount you pay today for electricity.
For more information, we encourage you to see our website at http://WWW.SaveWithSolar.org
By Chris Ulrich. SaveWithSolar.org shares great information about solar energy and ways to save with solar power. Get free information, including quotes on the solar power incentives available in your geography!
categories: solar power,solar energy,solar energy system,save electricity,home improvement
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